FORT HOOD, Texas — The challenge was on once again as the 4th Brigade Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, took to the field for another round of competition at the Wolfpack Battalion Commander’s Cup May 3-7.

It was a physical fitness competition to see who would reign supreme as all of the companies went head-to-head to prove they had what it takes to be number one. This type of activity usually happens once a year but due to the overwhelming responses from the last competition in the fall, the command decided to do it again.

“It was so successful last time and we really had a great time doing it. I think we encouraged some physical fitness and competitiveness and got out there and had some fun,” said Lt. Col. John Hickey, the battalion commander for the 4th BTB. “We added some new events this time to keep it interesting. Overall we like doing it and a lot of Soldiers told me they wanted to do it again, so we made it semiannual.”

The second installment of Hickey’s Commander’s Cup brought out the competitiveness in all the Soldiers in his battalion, particularly between the Renegades of the 154th Transportation Company and the Renegades of Headquarters and Headquarters Company.

The competition, however, went beyond just one battalion. The Wolfpack Battalion oversees companies from the 180th Trans. Bn. and the 49th Movement Control Bn. As well. Both of those units recently redeployed and their companies will transition back to their parent units later this month.

“Well I kind of had some fun with that. I really wanted to motivate everybody and make sure they got competitive and one way to do that was to say I don’t want to give the Commander’s Cup to the units that I’m going to give back to the 180th and 49th,” said Hickey. “Within a couple of weeks we are going to have to say good bye to them so this was kind of a farewell as well.”

One of those adopted units holds the title for the Commander’s Cup from last fall, and after HHC got knocked out of this competition early, the challenge of bringing the title back to the Wolfpack team now fell in the hands of the remaining 4th BTB companies.

“We have to at least get it back into the 4th BTB, that’s all I want”, said Capt. Anthony Crumbey, the HHC company commander. “Whether it’s the 15th Financial Management Company, 502nd Human Resources Company, or Alpha Company – I’m happy as long as we get it back into the Wolfpack family.”

Standing in the way of that victory were the Soldiers of the 297th Trans. Co. After pushing their way through the competition, the 297th looked like the unit to beat.

“I thought we were going to be looking at the 154th taking the trophy decisively but in the finals the 297th has been real strong,” said Hickey. “They were a little bit of a surprise.”

It was no surprise though to the leaders of the 297th. They came with one mission in mind and that was the take the number one spot.

“I encouraged them to take the trophy from the 4th BTB and put it on the shelf at the 180th Trans. Bn.,” said Phaedra Fry, the noncommissioned officer-in-charge of her units Prescribed Load List. “Ghost Riders are here to take it home baby.”

Fighting to keep the trophy was the 418th Trans. Co., the current trophy holders. But keeping that title proved to be too difficult.

“They gave 110 percent,” said Sgt. 1st Class Gregory Drake, the acting first sergeant for the 418th. “That was all I could ask of them.”

At the final day of competition, the energy level was high among the remaining teams competing and it led to all of the company commanders wrestling each other in sumo-wrestling suits.

“I thought that would be a good opportunity for them to kind of humble themselves with their Soldiers and have some fun before the awards ceremony,” said Hickey.

The Soldiers of the 154th took home the top prize in the Commander’s Cup. The 297th finished second and the 15th FMC took home third place.

“It feels really good to bring home the Commander’s Cup,” said Capt. Aldric Martin, the company commander. “It was the Soldiers that did it. We all worked hard to bring home this trophy.”

“Everyone did a great job,” said Hickey. “We strengthened our family in the Wolfpack Battalion by having fun and doing physical training at the same time.”

Like most things, this looks easier than it is. A Soldier from the 4th Brigade Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, lifts and tosses a tire across the field at his unit’s Commander’s Cup competition May 4 at Fort Hood, Texas. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Erick Ritterby)

You have to lift with your legs. Two Soldiers from the 4th Brigade Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, lift and toss tires across at their unit’s Commander’s Cup competition May 4 at Fort Hood, Texas. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Erick Ritterby)

On the final day of Commander’s Cup competition, company commanders from the 4th Brigade Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, wrestled each other in sumo-wrestling suits at Fort Hood, Texas May 7. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Amy M. Lane)

The commander of the 154th Transportation Company accepts the Commander’s Cup after her Soldiers took the top prize in the 4th Brigade Troops Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade competition at Fort Hood, Texas May 7. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Amy M. Lane)